Breaking news for everyone's consumption

Hepatitis A Outbreak Sickens Target Pharmacist; Customers May Have Been Exposed

A Target pharmacy employee who works at two locations in Alameda County, California handled medications after being infected with hepatitis A as part of the multistate outbreak linked to frozen mixed berries, according to a local Patch report.

The individual that is part of the outbreak works at pharmacies in San Leandro and Whipple Road in Hayward and possibly exposed customers via drugs prepared between May 5 and May 24, the Rockridge, CA Patch reported on Wednesday, citing Alameda County health officials.

“The county public health department has recommended that the pharmacies contact customers who had prescriptions filled by the employee during that time period when the person was likely contagious,” read the report. “Health officials said transmission of the disease was likely low, however customers are advised to stop taking medications that could have been handled by the infected employee. Customers who took medicine filled by the ill employee are advised to see a doctor and get a hepatitis A vaccination if they are not immunized.”

The pharmacist is just one of several cases in the Bay Area, according to the report. There are also cases in Contra Costa County and Santa Clara County.

Hepatitis A symptoms can include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, joint pain, pale stool and jaundice. Anyone concerned about exposure or showing symptoms should contact their health care provider or local health department. Those exposed to hepatitis A may benefit from a vaccination if it is administered with 14 days of exposure.